Two powerhouse black actresses, Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”) and Viola Davis (“How To Get Away with Murder”), are nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Will this year mark the first time a black woman has ever won an Emmy in this category?

CLOSE UP WITH THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER kicks off with a dynamic group of actresses, Jessica Lange, Lizzy Caplan, Viola Davis, Ruth Wilson, Taraji P. Henson and Maggie Gyllenhaal, making some of the biggest splashes in television—despite the fact that all are best known for roles outside of TV.

Six of the year’s most buzzed about TV drama actresses, including Maggie Gyllenhaal (THE HONORABLE WOMAN), Lizzy Caplan (“Masters of Sex”), Ruth Wilson (“The Affair”), Taraji P. Henson (“Empire”), Viola Davis (“How to Get Away With Murder”), and Jessica Lange (“American Horror Story: Freak Show”), talk about race, sex and ageism in Hollywood on the premiere of Close Up With The Hollywood Reporter.” Get a sneak peek at some of the revelations now!

I resisted Katherine Stockett’s book THE HELP for years – which in premise alone inspired a personal cringe-fest of sorts. But after the online chatter on America’s new box office darling rose to a peak, I gave in and headed to the multiplex. And really? Not half bad. Here are some thoughts about THE HELP, given the online chatter from multiple critics of the film. (A quick google search will help you find the most prominent voices – but this statement from the Association of Black Women Historians [ABWH] – saw a lot of traffic.)